Anderson native stars as Jackie Robinson in the new film "42" out April 12

Opening day for Major League Baseball might have been April 1, but for Anderson native Chadwick Boseman, the real opening day will happen April 12.

That's when the film biopic on Jackie Robinson, "42," opens in theaters nationwide and when Boseman hits the big screen in his largest role of his young career as Robinson himself.

A 1995 graduate of T.L. Hanna High School and native son of the Electric City, Boseman has been on the road promoting the life story of one of sports' most important and influential players. The film tells the story of how Robinson broke through the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers and forever changed the face of the American pastime.

Since his name was linked to the project, Boseman's life has changed dramatically. His previous roles have included small to medium roles in films like "The Express" in 2008, starring stints on television series like "Persons Unknown" and "Lincoln Heights" and one-time guest spots on shows like "Castle," "Justified," "Fringe" and "Lie to Me," so this is easily the biggest role of the 37-year-olds career. Not only that, but it comes playing a person who is one of the most revered in history.

"I can't really think of another character that I would want to play more than (Robinson)," Boseman said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. "When you talk about the effects of prejudice and historical figures, he is at the top of the list and it's an honor to have the opportunity and the challenge of playing him."

The weight of playing someone as iconic as Jackie Robinson didn't really hit Boseman until he met the icon's widow and much of the family. It was then, he said, that they showed him just what Robinson means to baseball, African-Americans and the country at large.

"So many people have a stake and their claim to Jackie Robinson," Boseman said. "I mean, he is their hero and you don't want to let them down in your portrayal of him. And you also realize that children in the future will know Jackie Robinson and might be introduced to him through a role you played and that is a big responsibility."

When he was introduced to the family, Boseman said that Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, wondered aloud about him. After all, who would be able to portray her husband with the same kind of understanding and reverence he deserves. Boseman said he sat down with Mrs. Robinson and the family for several hours talking about Robinson's life, his mannerisms and his feelings about baseball and family. It was then that Rachel Robinson dropped a bombshell on his role that really put things into perspective.

"She said to me, ‘If we were going to do this movie before, Sidney Poitier would have played the role.' "

Talk about doubling up those big shoes to fill.

That kind of realization forced Boseman to think back on his Little League days in Anderson and to focus on training for the role of a lifetime. He found himself playing baseball five days a week and conditioning every afternoon to prepare for the physical requirements of playing Robinson. And when it came time to start shooting, that training paid off.

"When you are shooting a scene of a pepper over and over and over again, that's when you're glad you trained for it," Boseman said. "And doing a rundown a million times from different angles and at different speeds takes it's toll after a while."

He also spent hours in the film room pouring over hundreds of games courtesy of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Their footage of Jackie Robinson playing was invaluable and allowed Boseman to get into the character through footage that he had never seen before.

Getting to this point has required a lifetime of work and dedication on Boseman's part. Growing up in Anderson, he was known for his ability on the basketball court at T.L. Hanna and his acting ability in community theater and on the high school stage. After graduating in 1995, Boseman attended Howard University, graduated in 2000 and moved to New York City to pursue an acting, directing and writing career on TV, film and the stage.

Boseman's family, including his mother, Carolyn, always knew he was destined for something special in his acting. In an interview in 2008, before the release of "The Express" where Boseman played the role of Floyd Little, Carolyn said her son "always loved acting" and that the family tried to support it in anyway possible. So, when her son went to New York City to pursue that dream, she knew it was only a matter of time before he accomplished his goals.

Now, it seems he has taken the next leap to accomplishing those and many more. And he is doing it by starring in a big-budget film with a huge marketing blitz and featuring one of the best actors in Harrison Ford.

"This is different from anything I have ever experienced," Boseman said. "It's amazing to be in (Los Angeles) and seeing the posters and the billboards. Then, in New York, my picture is in subway terminals, on the sides of buses and plastered all over the place. It's a little surreal."

Since the marketing of the film started some three months ago, Boseman has been going nonstop. He has been interviewed by everyone from "Access Hollywood" to USA Today. He has been through press junket after press junket and much of his free time is dedicated to phone interviews and television interviews from outlets all over the country.

So, when he gets a moment to slow down, he takes that time and thinks of his family and getting home to see them in Anderson as often as possible.

"It's important for me to come home a couple times a year just to get grounded," Boseman said. "Everything about New York is loud, even when it's supposed to be quiet. So, coming back to South Carolina is where I realize just what quiet is supposed to sound like."

Of course, it might be a little harder after "42" is released on April 12. Boseman said he has heard about the local buzz from friends, family and even perfect strangers through his parents and siblings and that everyone in the extended family is excited for the day of the release to finally come.

"My mom and dad and brothers and sisters will be coming out for a premiere and I have heard the rest of the family is planning things where they are," Boseman said. "My family is so big, that they could rent out a whole theater and I wouldn't be surprised if they do something like that wherever they are."

Until then, watch out for Boseman on the late night circuit when he appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday at 11:35 p.m. Boseman's co-star, Harrison Ford, will appear on "Late Night with David Letterman" at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday.